School Spotlight: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO
From Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, July, 2020
SPEECH CODE RATING
University of Hawaii at Hilo has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more
Student Conduct Code
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 21, 2020
Any conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person including but not limited to, physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, bullying, coercion, stalking as defined below.
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a. Threat is written or verbal conduct that causes a reasonable expectation of injury to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property.
b. Intimidation is implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another.
c. Bullying and cyberbullying are repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally, and are not protected by freedom of expression.
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Verbal abuse is shouting or yelling in a threatening or hostile manner and/or use of abusive or belligerent language.
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UH Systemwide Policies and Procedures: EP 2.210- Use and Management of Information Technology Resources
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: July 21, 2020
Users may not engage in the transmission of unsolicited bulk email (“spamming”), regardless of how important it may seem to the sender. Email is a form of individual communication, not a public forum, and should not be used to express opinions or forward views to those who have not expressed a wish to engage in the dialog.
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Student Conduct Code
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: July 21, 2020
Theft or other abuse of computer and other electronic facilities and resources, including but not limited to: … Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages.
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UH Systemwide Policies and Procedures: EP 1.204- Interim Policy and Procedure on Sex Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 21, 2020
Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: …
c. When such conduct is unwelcome to the person to whom it is directed or to others directly aware of it, and when such conduct is:
i. Severe or pervasive; and
ii. Has the purpose or effect of either:
(1) Unreasonably interfering with the employee’s work performance or student’s academic performance; or
(2) Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
In determining whether sexual harassment resulted in a sexually hostile environment, the University will consider the conduct from both an objective and subjective standpoint. That is, the Reporting Party must view the conduct as offensive, and a reasonable person with the same fundamental characteristics as the Reporting Party (e.g., actual or perceived sex, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression) must also view the conduct as offensive.
The following are examples of behavior that may constitute hostile environment sexual harassment if unwelcome and persistent, pervasive, or severe:
Sexually offensive jokes or ridicule of a person’s sexuality, sexual orientation or gender identity
Remarks of a sexual nature about a person’s clothing or body
Remarks about sexual activity or speculations about previous sexual experiences
Unnecessary and unwanted touching, patting, hugging, or brushing against a person’s clothing or body
Pressure for sexual activity, an element of which may be nonverbal conduct, such as repeated and unwanted staring or sexually suggestive gestures
Displays of offensive objects or pictures, including the use of electronic technology to send derogatory, demeaning, threatening, or hostile materials based on sex
Requests for sexual favors accompanied by direct or implied rewards or threats
Taking, sending, or sharing photos, videos, or audio recordings of sexual activity without the person’s consent, regardless of whether the sexual activity itself was consensual
Intimidation, threats of harm, or actual assaults against a person based on their actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
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University Housing Policies & Resources: Room Alterations
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: July 21, 2020
Residents may be required to remove materials that are deemed offensive by the community …
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Free Expression on the UH Hilo Campus
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: July 21, 2020
The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to the free and open exchange of ideas and affirms the rights of members of the university community to engage in speech and other expressive activity guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and by Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi. These activities may be conducted at such times and places and in such a manner to assure the orderly conduct and least interference with the University responsibilities as a public institution for higher education and scholarly inquiry.
Campuses will implement Section 20-13-6 of the Administrative Rules for the University of Hawaiʻi in a manner to permit non-commercial student speech and assembly in all areas generally available to students and the community without first having to apply for or obtain permission from the Chancellor. These generally available areas include open areas, sidewalks, walkways or internal streets, or other similar common areas.
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